Gifts

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here. 

For the past few days, gifts have been top of mind with me. Hardly surprising considering we just had Christmas, with its abundance of gift giving, followed by Epiphany-- when the Magi brought gifts to the infant Jesus. I had a birthday in there too, so more gifts.

Among my gifts, these tokens of affection, some have been beautiful, some practical, some bring a smile, and some provoke a tender tear.  

Apart from the presents wrapped in pretty paper, I've enjoyed the intangible gifts of family and love, friendship and laughter. The gift of memory looms large at this time of year -- joyous Christmas mornings from years gone by or parties of little girls playing musical chairs.

This December, when the news was full of stories about staff shortages and supply chain disruptions, I received exceptional service from store clerks, grocery checkers, and food servers. They brightened my days with their willingness to go above and beyond to satisfy my requests. 

I've been the giver of gifts too. Some have cost me money, some have cost time as I searched and searched for just the right item. Some have cost nothing more than a smile and a few words of encouragement -- see store clerks above. Of course, being the giver is to receive a gift in return. The gift of joy on a friend's face, the gift of an "oooo" from a child, or the gift of a hug from a lonely outsider.

When I began to write this post the list of gifts in my mind grew and grew. I was reminded of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. When we began that study I doubted I could count 1000 gifts in my life. But every day I found more and more blessings to add to my list.

At Epiphany, the magi acknowledged Jesus as "king and God and sacrifice." As I ponder my gifts I recognize that I haven't named the greatest gift of all -- Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. 

As we move into the new year, we are blessed with the gift of the Comforter, (Advocate, Helper, Guide, Counsellor). We live in a time of tumult -- war, famine, inflation, greed, lust for power -- hang over our days. There is a temptation to hoard the gifts we've received, to seek safety in what we can see and touch. But Jesus promised something else.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We can cling to that promise and face the coming days with courage. Thanks be to God.

 

Epiphany

In the Christian calendar, January 6, Epiphany, marks the end of the Christmas season. In the secular world, Christmas seems to begin right after Hallowe'en and end at midnight on the December 25. This disparity between the shopping mall and the church sanctuary can be confusing, so just to set the record straight -- Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, Saviour of the world. We do not know the actual day of His birth, but December 25th is the day chosen by the early church.

Advent is the four weeks before Christmas Day. While the secular world is in full party mode from the beginning of December, the Christian church is in a time of waiting, a season of contemplation and sacrifice. 

An example of the schism between popular custom and Christian tradition is the Advent calender. Many parents and grandparents give Advent calenders filled with treats to the children in their lives. In other words, the kids get presents every day until Dec. 25.  The Advent calender of my childhood had coin slots on every day and children were expected to put money (sacrifice) in the slots, then take the filled calendar to church as an offering on Christmas. 

Epiphany marks not only the end of the Christmas season, but the arrival of the Wise Men at Bethlehem. Given that most children's pageants lump the angels, the shepherds, the holy family and the magi into one big scene, it is easy to forget that the "travellers from the East" arrived later.

The Biblical record found in Matthew 2: 1-12 is brief, noting only that the men were guided by a star and arrived with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and that they did not reveal to Herod the location of the Christ child. 

Over the centuries many traditions have grown up around these mysterious visitors. They've been given names, Caspar, Balthassar and Melchior. Eastern tradition sets the number of magi at twelve, while Western churches set the number at three. What is important to note is not the number, but the fact these worshippers were Gentiles--a fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy that Christ would be a "light to the Gentiles."

Notice also, that the Wise Men (kings) (magi) worshipped, thereby acknowledging the divinity of Jesus. They would not otherwise have worshipped a Jewish child born to modest parents from Nazareth.

There are many wonderful legends around the Wise Men. One of my favourites is the story by Henry van Dyke Jr. about the "Fourth Wise Man"  who never did get to Bethlehem but spent his life giving his time and gifts to the poor and needy.

These legends bring joy to the Christmas season, they illustrate the Christian story and that satisfy our desire for pomp and riches in Bethlehem.They have inspired fine artwork and many carols.

But, if we are wise, like the magi, we will base our faith on the Biblical account. 

It has riches enough if we look carefully.

Gifts

With the celebration of Epiphany on January 6, the twelve days of Christmas comes to a close.  Time to put away the decorations, take out the tree, catalogue the gifts and write thank-you notes. I generally let my new gifts sit under the tree from Christmas to New Year's--a highly effective method of procrastination-- but now comes the time for decision.  
Some of the gifts were edible so that makes life easy.  In fact, most of the chocolate is already consumed.  Apparently those gifts will be stored on the hips for some time to come.  
Candles have been lit and allowed to burn down.  
Socks!  This was the year of socks in my house.  I received several pair and I gave away a number.  Ever notice how gift ideas come in waves?  Anyway, I've cleared out worn out hosiery in my top drawer and found space for my many new socks.
Top of my wish list every year is books.  There was a stack of new ones under the tree, proof that Santa does read those letters. I'll have no trouble finding a place for new books on my shelves.
  Among the new volumes was Jan Karon's latest Mitford book, To Be Where You Are.  I've mentioned this author before.  We have a number of her Mitford books in our library.  She hasn't published anything new for a while, so I was glad to find the cast of Mitford characters back in their charmingly eccentric lives between the covers of a book.  
   There was a new, hand-made tree ornament.  I've quite a collection of those little gems now, some made by the donor, some purchased at a bazaar and wrapped up for me.  Each year I take out my mementos and remember the friend to gave it.  There is room in my Christmas storage boxes for such tokens of friendship.
   I'm happy to report I received no "practical" gifts like mixing bowls, or vacuum cleaners or toaster ovens.  Those are essential items for a household, and I'm happy to have them -- just not as gifts to me.  They are gifts to the kitchen!  
   One friend replaced a broken teacup in my good china.  I took that as a very personal and thoughtful present.  There's room for it in the china cupboard.
  So, I've done pretty well at finding space for my gifts.  But there is one more, one we all received,the most precious gift of all, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with Us. Comforter, Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God.  No trouble finding a place for Him.  Our hearts were designed to hold the Saviour.

   Happy New Year, Happy Epiphany,